NHS Oldham finance director Steve Sutcliffe who lives in Halifax is putting himself through several gruelling swimming challenges to raise money for the Trust in memory of a former school friend.

Steve will be doing all five British Gas Great British Swims to raise money for the Meningitis Trust.

He said: “I am raising money for the Meningitis Trust in memory of a school friend, Kate Lever, who tragically died from meningitis 30 years ago at the very young age of 12 years. Those who knew her from Bailiff Bridge School have very dear and fond memories.

“Last year I did the Salford Quays swim for The Christie and I have raised money for the Meningitis Trust before. But this year I wanted to go all out to try and raise as much money as possible for a very good cause.”

Steve will be training most days with the aim of being able to swim 300 lengths of a swimming pool non-stop. He will also be open water training at Salford Quays, as the water in a swimming pool is 87 degrees, but in open water it is 12 degrees!

The British Gas Great Swim is a series of five televised outdoor swims staged in lakes, lochs and docks around the UK, which many people take part in to raise money for charity. More than 25,000 people are expected to take part in 2012. The swims are:

• one mile on the Thames (May 26)
• two miles on Alton Water (June 16)
• two miles on Lake Windermere (June 22)
• one mile at Salford Quays (July 1)
• two miles on Strathclyde Water (August 25)

If you would like to donate for Steve’s charity challenge, visit his Just Giving page at: http://www.justgiving.com/Stephen-Sutcliffe1. You can also visit the Great Swims website to find out more about the events.